Go to a Reds Baseball Game

Enjoy the beautiful Riverfront parks system

Sawyer Point

Sawyer Point is always great for family fun. On the Riverfront the much anticipated Banks Project is mostly complete and offers walking paths, play areas and fountains, along with these peaceful swings. With two playgrounds, tons of grassy areas to play on and bikes available for rent.

Smale Park

Smale Riverfront Park keeps getting better. Kids can play in the fountains day or night and there is a giant keyboard that you can play with your feet. Find out more here.

Enjoy a free event at Washington Park

We have so many great parks downtown that gives you great views of the city.

One of my absolute favorite places in Cincinnati is Washington Park. There is a parking garage underneath the park and our family has never had any problems during multiple visits all year round. There is also a great community element there with special events like live music, Easter Egg hunts, City Flea (Urban Flea market), yoga and movie nights.

My kids LOVE going to the playground and when the temperatures heat up, they have a blast running through the fountains. The park is well lit and we have felt safe at all hours during visits.

Visit a Museum

The Cincinnati Museum Center has three museums under one roof. The art deco inside is also incredible!

FREE Union Terminal Rotunda Tours at Cincinnati Museum Center

You can learn about the history of the museum center and go to areas of the museum that are not open to the general public. You will also learn about what Union Terminal was like when the train was a huge part of transportation on this tour that lasts 45 minutes.

Enjoy great food downtown

Your dining options are getting harder because there are soooo many good restaurants to eat at.

Findlay Market is also nearby and has so much history and variety to check out. Sample foods from varies vendors and learn the history of our city’s longest-running public market. You can even take a Taste of the World Food Tour that gives you samples and the story behind the vendors.

Discover beautiful architecture downtown

Our city has one of the largest collections of Italianate style homes still in existence.

Visit Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum

I realize that a cemetery walk can sound morbid but Spring Grove Cemetery offers historic tours and the grounds are absolutely gorgeous!

Take a unique fitness class

Did you know that you can surf in the midwest? At least you can imagine you are during a Surf Set fitness class.

Visit some of your favorite animals at the Cincinnati Zoo

The Cincinnati Zoo has a great variety of animals and Botanical Gardens which makes for amazing pictures.

Discover AMAZING art everywhere!

From the art museums to the sides of buildings, there is so much to uncover around every corner. I love walking around downtown and taking pictures of all of the street art. Artists from around the world have beautified our city.

Cincinnati Art Museum, Contemporary Art Museum, 21C Hotel and Taft Museum host incredible art within a close proximity and the street murals rival many of the works indoors.

Free on Sundays! Ask for a guide that will show you popular paintings to look for in the museum.

Cincinnati Art Museum

This free museum has an incredible collection of art that spans the centuries. You can find pieces that range from ancient times to modern art. There are even areas where kids can try hands-on activities.

Take a walk around Mirror Lake at Eden Park

There are walking trails and you can also visit the nearby Krohn Conservatory. Eden Park is home to a beautiful park, Cincinnati Art Museum which is FREE and Krohn Conservatory.

Enjoy extreme fun at King Island Amusement Park

Our family loves going to Kings Island. You also get two parks in one which the waterpark that’s included with your admission.

Discover fossils at Trammel Fossil Park

You can dig for fossils at this free park. Bring an old paint brush and a bucket and see what you can unearth.

A mini road trip up to Trammel Fossil Park and the Root Beer Stand near Sharon Woods is also a unique treat. Bring a few old paint brushes and try to uncover some fossils and reward the excavation with a root beer float. Sharon Woods also has so much to do and enjoy with a beautiful natural setting.

This is a great stop that is located close to Trammel Fossil Park and Sharon Woods. You can get an incredible root beer float or order other classic diner items off the menu. This is a CASH only establishment so swing by the ATM before you go.

Explore Loveland Castle

Discover one man’s labor of love as you explore the castle he built by hand.

I hope these ideas have helped you find adventures that you can enjoy without spending a lot. You can find more ideas from this list of great bloggers from across the country.

[…] 8. Be a tourist in your own city. I guarantee that you have not discovered all that is offered in your own town. I make it my mission to find things in my city and the more that I find, the more I realize that I’m just scratching the surface. Check out tours Here are some of my favorite staycation ideas in Cincinnati. […]